Some seniors in Monroe
Township are still trying to recover from the damage brought by Tropical Storm
Henri.
They say they still feel like they’re in the dark
on what to do next after the storm wreaked havoc on some parts of the
neighborhood and forced some seniors out of their homes.
In the Rossmoor community, homes were flooded and
are still recovering from water damage.
Many are staying with family and tell News 12
getting flood insurance isn’t easy.
Fran Klinsk says that FEMA argued that she was not
in the flood zone and when she finally was able to convince them to give her
flood insurance it was $500 upfront.
“They took me out in a boat—me and the girl next
door,” Klinsk says. “They took us out in a boat.”
Water lines, debris and destroyed belongings in her home had to be bagged up
and removed. Her dryer was filled with mud and flooding water was inside her
refrigerator.
Other neighbors in the area also lost things due to the flooding.
Anna Wernick says she lost belongings from her husband who died.
“I lost a lot of special things of his and that hurt,” Wernick says. “That
hurt.”
Others say they were assured when buying a house in the neighborhood that it
wouldn’t flood.
Klinsk, meanwhile, has been forced to pay for a hotel out of pocket since the
storm. She says it could be November before she’s allowed back into her home.
“We need help,” Klinsk says. “We definitely need help.”
The Monroe Township Office of Emergency Management is establishing a command
center within the Rossmoor community where
residents affected can get information on next steps they can take.